Predicting the Carolina Panthers wide receivers

In 2019 the Carolina Panthers will field what could be the best wide receivers unit in team history. There may be more talent from top to bottom than we have ever seen. Unfortunately, this means some tough decisions are on the way and more than one talented player will find himself in another city this season.

I am going to assume the Panthers keep six receivers. That seems to be the strategy lately. As such, here is how I would break it down currently.

The Locks

As I see it there are only two absolute locks to make the final roster.

DJ Moore is slated to have a breakout season this year. It took Moore several weeks to earn the trust of Ron Rivera and earn significant playing time. But once he did he quickly proved he is a star in the making.

Third year receiver Curtis Samuel is the only other lock to make the team this year. Samuel has emerged as the big time play maker on the squad. He is the guy that can break one off for six points on any single play.

The Probables

The following are guys that I am 90% sure make the final roster.

Torrey Smith catches heat from some fans but coaches see him as a valuable asset on this team. Smith is six foot tall on a squad of shorter receivers. I have to think that comes into play. He is likely here for another season.

When the Carolina Panthers signed Chris Hogan they found someone that could be Cam Newton’s security blanket should Greg Olsen suffer another injury. Hogan is the kind of guy that won’t make a huge play, but will just catch the ball anytime it is near him. Also, at 6’1 he is quietly one of the tallest receivers on the roster.

I am a big fan of Jarius Wright. All the guy does is come through on third downs and make the plays when they need to be made. Wright is an asset to this squad and Marty Hurney and Ron Rivera know it. Wright isn’t going anywhere.

That makes 5 receivers that are either a lock or highly probable to make the final roster. This leaves only one roster spot for the remaining six receivers on the current roster.

I feel two guys have the best chance of grabbing that spot.

The Carolina Panthers grabbed Rashad Ross in April after an impressive showing in the AAF. Ross would add value to the roster as an experienced kick returner. This would likely be the only real playing time he would see, but still, it would help justify that sixth wide receiver roster spot.

I was impressed with seventh round rookie Terry Godwin in rookie camp and OTA’s. He looked like a professional receiver out there. Marty Hurney is not a fan of cutting his draft picks, which could give Godwin a leg up on the competition. A solid preseason showing from Godwin and he would likely make the team rather than risk losing him to another franchise.